Connecticut employers are grappling with increasing health insurance costs, largely due to new state-mandated coverage requirements. Recent legislative scrutiny highlighted that 18 types of benefits have been added or modified through laws between 2015 and 2025.
The state Office of Legislative Research noted the growing trend of mandates on fully insured commercial health plans, which disproportionately affect smaller businesses. While larger employers often self-fund, smaller firms remain subject to these mandates, raising their premiums.
A variety of mandated benefits includes mental health services, infertility treatments, and the latest additions like coverage for specific pediatric disorders and athletic prosthetics, set to take effect in 2027. Although these mandates aim to ensure comprehensive coverage, they ignite debate over the affordability of insurance versus necessary patient access.
Importantly, the report does not quantify the mandates’ cumulative financial impact on insurance premiums across Connecticut, leaving questions about the overall cost burden on local businesses and consumers.
